Stuffed with love, Marine's family makes stockings
NORTON SHORES, Mich. -- The familiar symbol -- a blue star centered on a small white and red banner -- hangs in the front window. It lets passersby know it is the home of a service member away at war.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006611210394
November 21, 2006
BY SUSAN K. TREUTLER
MUSKEGON CHRONICLE
And inside the house, the mother of Marine Cpl. Daniel Cebulla, 21, designed, cut, sewed and embroidered and planned to send a little holiday joy to his company.
Debbie Cebulla planned to make 50 one-of-a-kind Christmas stockings to send to southern Iraq, where her son's unit is patrolling the border.
She was stuffing the stockings with soap, toothpaste, granola bars, lip moisturizer, heavy cotton socks, dried meat, flavored powder for their water and letters from home.
In Wisconsin, her sister-in-law Valerie Tenton planned to make 50 more. In Colorado, her cousin Julie Birdwell planned to make another 50.
Each of the 150 men in Daniel Cebulla's unit is to get a stocking before Christmas.
"I want to make sure they are not forgotten," Debbie Cebulla said as she darted between an ironing board and sewing machine in a bedroom and the embroidery machine in the kitchen.
Cebulla said her son told her the troops would love the stockings. But with 150 to make, the women almost were overwhelmed with the expense.
Enter Debbie Cebulla's brother, Scott Zemski, a certified public accountant in Oconomowoc, Wis. He asked his boss if he would like to make a contribution to the cause. His boss, Mike Dowling, asked him how much was needed. Zemski gave him the estimated figure -- $2,400. His boss said he would cover the cost.
Among the items being included are baby wipes, peanuts, toothbrushes and toothpaste donated by a Grand Haven orthodontist, pens and paper, crossword puzzle books, and small stuffed animals for the troops to give to Iraqi children.
Cebulla's kitchen table was covered with felt and spools of thread in every color to make the designs -- Marine Corps emblems, snowmen in uniform, NASCAR logos, and even some Marine mascot bulldogs.
A letter explaining the project was put in each stocking with the message:
"We hope this shows how much we appreciate the sacrifices you've made for us, your country. Please accept our warmest thoughts and gratitude during this holiday while you are far away from your loved families and friends."